2012 Russell Athletic Bowl

This was the fifteenth meeting between these two teams. Virginia Tech leads the all-time record 12–3. The last time they played was in 2003. The teams were conference rivals in the old Big East Conference from 1991 to 2003. Rutgers The Scarlet Knights finished in a four-way tie for the Big East title with a 5–2 conference record (holding the tiebreaker over the Syracuse Orange and Cincinnati Bearcats but behind the Louisville Cardinals. After losing to said Cardinals in their season finale, the Scarlet Knights accepted an invitation to the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl. Virginia Tech A disastrous season by Virginia Tech standards, the Hokies were in danger of being bowl-ineligible for the first time since 1992. However, in their final two games the Hokies defeated their rivals the Boston College Eagles as well as Commonwealth Cup rivals the Virginia Cavaliers, finishing 6–6 and becoming bowl-eligible. ==Game summary==

. First half Rutgers scored 17 seconds into the game after Virginia Tech center Caleb Farris snapped the ball past Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas into the end zone. Thomas attempted to pick the fumbled ball up in the end zone, but lost the ball as he was tackled. Rutgers linebacker Khaseem Greene recovered the ball for a touchdown to give Rutgers a 7–0 lead. The Scarlet Knights took a 10–0 lead later in the first quarter on a 36-yard field goal from Nick Borgese. In the second quarter, the Hokies failed to cross midfield, while Rutgers drove into Virginia Tech territory twice. Rutgers was unable to score, however, turning the ball on downs on its first drive into Hokies territory and punting on its second trip. The Scarlet Knights took a 10–0 lead going into halftime. ==Scoring summary==